Seattle teachers set to vote on strike

Seattle Public Schools and the Seattle Education Association have been meeting throughout the summer to negotiate a new tentative contract for Seattle teachers. As of Tuesday night, no tentative contract had been reached.

On Thursday, September 3 Seattle Public Schools teachers will vote on whether to accept a tentative contract agreement. No tentative agreement has been reached, and they will vote on whether to strike, which would affect the scheduled September 9 school start date.

In advance of the vote, Seattle teachers picketed at the high schools, including at Roosevelt on Wednesday, September 2nd.

Welcome from Principal Sanger

Welcome Bryant Families!

I hope your summer was all that you hoped it would be! Mine was great! One highlight was attending a “Professional Learning Communities at Work” conference in Tampa. Research shows that when teachers work collaboratively and shift their thinking from “my “students to “our” students, everyone benefits. Grade level teams at Bryant have been developing a model for professional learning communities (PLCs) for a year now that has been closely aligned with the content of this conference. This grade level team work has developed around 4 essential questions that may sound simple but run deep. The questions are:

  1. What is it we expect our students to learn?
  2. How will we know when they have learned it?
  3. How will we respond when some students do not learn?
  4. How will we respond when some students already know it?

Read more

No School Day Camp with Elaine and Clive

Instructors: Elaine D. Woodhouse, CertEd, CQSW & Clive S. Woodhouse, PhD.
Grade Range: K-5
Time: 9:30-3:30pm

There will be at least two different art projects each day. Games and activities will also be available for students to enjoy! We limit class size to less than 30 students to allow for more personalized art instruction.

Schedule
9:30 – 10:15 Arrival & free choice activities
10:15 – 11:15 Morning Art Project
11:15 – 12:15 Free choice activities
12:15 – 1:15 Lunch
1:15 – 1:45 Afternoon Art Project
1:45 – 2:45 Free choice activities
2:45 – 3:30 Clean-up, popcorn snack, comics, cartooning & free choice art


Dates:
TBA

Cost:
$62 each day (includes $2 ASE registration fee)

To register:
www.elainewoodhouse.com
carvedstamps@onebox.com


2015-16 Meeting Schedule

All meetings are at 7pm in the Bryant Library unless otherwise noted. (Dates in bold are General Meetings)

September 15, 2015 
Minutes | Budget | 2014-15 Treasurer Recap

October 13, 2015
Minutes | Budget | PLC presentation

November 10, 2015 (starts at 6:30 with casual mixer)
Minutes | Budget | Paramount Duty resolution

December 8, 2015
Minutes | BudgetTech Presentation | PLC Training Presentation

January 12, 2016
Minutes | Budget

February 9, 2016
Minutes | Budget

March 8, 2016
Minutes | Budget

April 5, 2016 (not the 2nd Tuesday of the month due to SPS Spring Break)
Minutes | Budget

May 10, 2016
Minutes | Budget | Proposed 2016-17 Budget

June 14, 2016, Lunchroom Volunteer and Teacher/Staff Recognition Awards
Minutes | Budget | Approved 2016-17 Budget

Bryant PTSA General Meeting Minutes – June 2015 *Draft*

June 9, 2015
Library

Notice of Meeting
Bryant Calendar & Bryant Weekly

In Attendance:
Leeann Huntington, Kim Love, Meta Godsell, Amy Shanafelt, Lauren Abraham, Sam Fogg, Megan Delaney, April Wright, Maggie Sweeney, Kate Speizer, Janie Booth, Trudy Springer, Julie Honeywell, Joan Crooks, Jenny Estep, Liza Caputo, Michaela Rednuhk, Ann-Marie Spata, Becky Mackle, Carleen Confer, Charise Randell, Kim Larsen, Julie Ohrzada, Elida Moran, Heather Kokorowski, Patricia Parker, Jennifer Mahlum, Michelle Ireton

Welcome and Introduction                                                             Meghan Delaney

Approve March General Meeting Minutes

Officer/Standing Committee Reports

  1. Treasurer’s Report Amy Shanafelt
    $22,200 was the final amount raised by the Bryant Blast.
  1. Legislative Report Joan Crooks

Special Committee Reports

  1. 2015-16 PTSA Officers Nominating Committee
    President – Leann Huntington
    Vice President – Julie Honeywell
    Treasurers- Lauren Abraham and Jennifer Mahlum
    Secretaries-Kim Love and Rachel Shaw
    Volunteer Coordinators-Janie Booth and Kate Speizer
    Legistlative Chair – Joan Crooks
    Members at Large – Megan Delaney and Amy Shanafelt
    Teacher Representatives – Carleen Confer, Amy Alphin and Patricia Parker
    Jenny Estep motions to approve the 2015-16 PTSA Officers and Elida Moran seconds. All approved.
  1. 2015-16 PTSA Budget
    Motion to approve $500 for Multi-Arts Classroom Supplies by Samantha Fogg and Patricia Parker seconds. All Approved.
    Amy Shanafelt motions to approve the 2015-16 Budget as proposed. Seconded by Joan Crooks. All Approved. 

7:30 Meeting Adjourned

Motions

  • Motion #1
    Jenny Estep motions to approve the 2015-16 PTSA Officers and Elida Moran seconds. All approved.
  • Motion#2
    Motion to approve $500 for Multi-Arts Classroom Supplies by Samantha Fogg and Patricia Parker seconds. All Approved.
  • Motion#3
    Amy Shanafelt motions to approve the 2015-16 Budget as proposed. Seconded by Joan Crooks. All Approved. 

Volunteer & Teacher Recognition Kate Speizer & Janie Booth

  • New Teacher Recognition Award
    Clara Johnson and Tiffany Bodine
  • Special Math Award
    Susan Roden, and Mark Batho, Andrea Peng
  • Without You This Place Would Crumble and Fall Award
    Julie Ohrzada and Trudy Springer
  • Unsung Hero Award
    Kim Love and Kathy Hughes
  • Volunteer Extraordinaire Award
    Amy Shanafelt and Jenny Estep
  •  Golden Acorn Award
    Staff: Ann-Marie Spata
  • Golden Acorn Award
    Volunteer: Maggie Sweeney

Bryant PTSA Board Meeting Minutes – May 2015 *FINAL*

May 12, 2015
Library

Notice of Meeting
Bryant Calendar & Bryant Weekly

In Attendance:
Leeann Huntington, Kate Speizer, Patricia Parker, Sam Fogg, Julie Honeywell, Ann-Marie Spata, Heather Kokorowski, Anne Conklin, Sarah Fox, Becky Mackle, Kathy Hughes, Meta Godsell, Kim Larsen, Katie Hansen, Lauren March, Carleen Confer, Amy Shanafelt, Lauren Abraham, April Wright, Zinta Smidchens, Joan Crooks, Jon Tuttle, Michelle Ireton, Meghan Delaney, Laura Larkin, Charise Randell, Jennifer Mahlum, Julianna Batho, Julie Ohrazda, Maggie Sweeney, Pamela Kurtz, Susan Roden

Welcome and Introduction Leeann Huntington & Meghan Delaney

Approve April Board Meeting Minutes

Officer/Standing Committee Reports

  1. Treasurer’s Report Lauren Abraham & Amy Shanafelt
    1,350 People attended the Bryant Blast and it raised approximately $16,000. The online auction will close this evening and will add to the revenue.
  1. Legislative Report Joan Crooks

Special Committee Reports

  1. 2015 Bryant Blast Recap Julie Ohrazda
  1. 2015-16 Budget Lauren Abraham & Amy Shanafelt
    Motion to approve by Joan Crooks that the proposed 2015-16 Budget will be presented next month at the General Board Meeting. Seconded by Kathy Hughes seconds. All Approved.

Special Orders
None 

New Business

  1. Request to Fund the Purchase of Emergency Supplies Heather Kokorowski
    Motion to approve by Amy Shanafelt and seconded by Becky Mackle to fund the purchase of the highest priority classroom emergency supplies for $3,145.48. All Approved.
  1. Request to Fund the Purchase of a Hand Bell Zinta Smidchens
    The Hand Bell Choir needs a F3 Bell and it is requested that the Board partially fund the purchase. Zinta requests $583.58 of the $1,438.58 to purchase this bell. This is tabled until the June Meeting for Zinta to look into the Choir/Handbell unused funds.
  1. 2015-2016 events calendar Leeann Huntington
    Board will discuss and hear from committees about moving the Blast and Teacher Appreciation dates for next year.
  1. LASER Registration Process Meghan Delaney
    The Board will hear from Parents about the recent LASER registration and discuss channels for feedback. Meghan asks if parents want to meet with LASER and the School Administration to come up with some solutions on registration process and the unmet need.

Motions

  • Motion #1
    Motion to approve by Amy Shanafelt and seconded by Becky Mackle to fund the purchase of the highest priority classroom emergency supplies for $3,145.48. All Approved.
  •  Motion #2
    Motion to approve by Joan Crooks that the proposed 2015-16 Budget will be presented next month at the General Board Meeting. Seconded by Kathy Hughes seconds. All Approved. 

Meeting Adjourned 9:26

 

Bryant PTSA Board Meeting Minutes – April 2015 *FINAL*

April 7, 2015
Library

Notice of Meeting
Bryant Calendar & Bryant Weekly

In Attendance:
Jon Tuttle, Meghan Delaney, Leeann Huntington, Lauren Abraham, Patricia Parker, Amy Shanafelt, Samantha Fogg, Joan Crooks, Ann-Marie Spata, Dan Sanger, Meta Godsell, Julie Pearson, Carleen Confer 

Welcome and Introduction Leeann Huntington & Meghan Delaney

Approve February Board Meeting Minutes

Officer/Standing Committee Reports

  1. Legislative Report Joan Crooks
  1. Treasurer’s Report Amy Shanafelt

Special Committee Reports
None

Special Orders
None

New Business

  1. PTSA Budget Survey Summary Meghan Delaney
    Review results of the family and faculty surveys as we head into the budget process on April 21.
  1. New Multi-Arts PCP Position Overview Dan Sanger
    Principal Sanger discusses the new arts position that was approved by faculty last month. This new position is a blend of movement, dance, music and drama that will be taught by Michaela Koerner Storkman next school year.

Meeting Adjourned 8:01

 

Bryant PTSA General Meeting Minutes – March 2015 *FINAL*

March 10, 2015
Library

Notice of Meeting
Bryant Calendar & Bryant Weekly

In Attendance: Jon Tuttle, Meghan Delaney, Leann Huntington, Kim Love, Carleen Confer, Heather Kokorowski, Patricia Parker, Kim Blakeley, Elida Moran, Ann-Marie Spata, Julie Pearson, Dan Sanger, Meta Godsell, Amy Shanafelt, Joan Crooks, Pamela Kuhte, Andrea Pang, Michelle Ireton, Susan Roden, Julie Ohrazda, William Mitchell, Natalya Yudkovsky, Mikhaila Reudink, Michele Solis, Debbie Chateunphonk, Angela Mack, Layla Taylor, Liza Caputo, Tara Hanoch, Samantha Fogg, Ann Sonnen, Anne Conklin, Shelley Prosise, Mark Batho, Kim Speizer

 

Welcome and Introduction  Leeann Huntington & Meghan Delaney

Approve October General Meeting Minutes

Officer/Standing Committee Reports

  1. Legislative Report                         Joan Crooks
  1. Treasurer’s Report                         Amy Shanafelt
    Amy Shanafelt summarizes the status of the PTSA budget. Monday, March 30th at 7pm will be the first Budget Planning Meeting.

Special Committee Reports

  1. Financial Review Committee    Amy Shanafelt
    Annually PTSA members outside of the Executive Committee conduct a financial review and to date the board is compliant with current regulations.

Special Orders
None

New Business

  1. Request to Fund Emergency Supplies Heather Kokorowski & Julie Pearson
    Heather reviews what is currently in the classroom emergency bins and has created a plan of what is needed in the event of a major disaster.

Meet the Committees                                                             Committee Chairs
Committee leads introduce themselves and connect with other parents and groups.

Elizabeth Geist – Book Fair
Mikhaila Reudink and Pamela Kuhte – Garden Buddies
Julie Ohrazda – Bryant Blast
Layla Taylor – Arts Committee
Susan Roden – 4th Grade Math Club
Angela Mack – Yearbook Editor
Mark Batho – Math Champs
Michelle Ireton – Bryant Buddies and Scrip Program
Tara Hanoch– Lost and Found
Michele Solis and Will Mitchell– Bike to Bryant
Kim Blakeley – The Bryant Weekly
Liza Caputo – 4th Grade Fundraising for Islandwood and Room Parent Coordinator
Elida Moran – The Bryant Play
Debbie Chateunphonk – PTSA Membership
Natalya Yudkovsky – K-3 Science Night
Kim Love – Bryant Website
Kim Speizer – Writers Celebration
Patricia Parker – – Tech Coordinator

 

Coffee Mixer with Committees

Bryant PTSA Board Meeting Minutes – February 2015 *FINAL*

February 10, 2015
Library 

Notice of Meeting
Bryant Calendar & Bryant Weekly 

In Attendance:
Leann Huntington, Meghan Delaney, Kim Love, Amy Shanafelt, Lauren Abraham, Jon Tuttle, Meta Godsell, Dan Sanger, Ann-Marie Spata, Ellen Gryj, Patricia Parker, Yvonne Roberts, Pamela Kuhtz, Julie Ohrazda, Ben Shorr, Carleen Confer, Joan Crooks, Becky Mackle, Samantha Fogg, Maggie Sweeney, Trudy, Charise Randell, Layla Taylor

Welcome and Introduction Leeann Huntington & Meghan Delaney

Regarding the recent investigation into an incident between a faculty member and a student, the Bryant PTSA bylaws cede the responsibility regarding district employee matters to the school administration and District. This is outlined in the bylaws of the Washington State PTSA (see http://www.wastatepta.org/resources/bylaws/Bylaws_2014.pdf, of which the Bryant PTSA is a member.) The Bryant PTSA board is satisfied that the school administration and the District are taking the appropriate measures to address the issue, and has no basis to intervene.

Principal Dan Sanger read a brief statement iterating the confidential nature of employee matters and directed concerned families to contact SPS Superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland (superintendent@seattleschools.org) or SPS Executive Director of Schools of the Northeast Region Kim Whitworth (kdwhitworth@seattleschools.org)

Approve January Minutes

Officer/Standing Committee Reports

  1. Treasurer’s Report Lauren Abraham & Amy Shanafelt
  1. Legislative Report Joan Crooks
  1. Blast Update Julie Ohrazda
    The annual Bryant Blast will have a carnival theme and will be called “Blastival”. All teams are now fully staffed and all activities are expected to be finalized by the end of February.

Special Committee Reports
None 

Special Orders
None 

New Business

  1. Overview of PTSA Budget process Amy Shanafelt
    Looking at previous years’ budgets and expected expenses from Committees are two ways the budget is determined. Budget Meetings dates will be announced shortly. The budget is presented at the May Board Meeting and will be voted on in the June Meeting.
  1. Committee Review Leeann Huntington
    Before the March General Meeting at 6:30pm there will be a 30 minute mixer for the committees, PTSA members and parents. The committees will also be introduced at the Board Meeting.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:20 pm